As explained above and numerous previous times, Iran's program complies fully with international law obligations. Washington's the problem, not Tehran.

"Iran rejected" P5+1 proposals, said the Post. Thursday talks won't likely resolve things. They center on Iran's legitimate right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program. Washington wants it denied. No sovereign country should yield to that type pressure.

Iran justifiably rejected proposals it called "outdated, not comprehensive and unbalanced. There is no balance, and there is nothing to get in return. What we heard in Istanbul was more interesting....We believe the reason P5+1 is not able to reach a result is America."

According to former Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian:

"The world powers are asking Iran for diamonds, in the form of ceasing to enrich uranium to 20%, and all they are offering in return is peanuts, in the form of spare parts for Iranian airline planes."

A member of the Iranian delegation added:

"The American delegation says on the one hand that they want to reach a fast agreement through negotiations, but on the other hand they are continuing to impose unilateral sanctions on Iran."

An unnamed Israel official said:

"We will hear about what was discussed, and then respond accordingly."

"(A)uthorities of the Islamic Iran will never retreat from the country's natural and inalienable rights. Our people and officials are in consensus over nuclear advancement. Our team of negotiators will never make a deal over nuclear enrichment."

Iran countered with a five-point proposal. Details weren't disclosed. It includes recognizing Tehran's legitimate nuclear program and discussing Syria's insurgency. Damascus is a key Tehran ally. Western-generated violence justifies concern. Together with responsible Western nations is an appropriate forum to raise it.

"It’s no longer possible to pretend we don’t know the intentions of Iran’s rulers." They want Israel destroyed, he claims.

A spurious Ayatollah Ali Khamenei comment alleged he said "Israel must be burned to the ground and made to disappear from the face of the Earth.”

According to former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, he and other Iranian officials want Israel destroyed "through military force."

May claims Tehran is "committed to war, genocide and developing nuclear weapons." Other spurious accusations were made. He included the longstanding canard about Iran being "the world's leading sponsor of terrorism." Another claimed it "violate(s) the most fundamental tenets of international law."

Given Iran's "advanced nuclear program....the West appears poised (again) to take the easy way out." Both writers favor force, not diplomacy. They want Tehran's uranium enrichment entirely prohibited.

"A new red line at 20 percent enrichment (leaves Israel) two options: strike or give up."

"For those who fear another conflagration in the Middle East, that ought to be a compelling reason to hang tough in Baghdad. Odds are, however, we won't."

According to the hawkish American Enterprise Institute (AEI):

"Any outcome that does not include the verifiable dismantling of Iran's nuclear program and the removal of all nuclear material – at any level – will allow Iran to retain the ability to acquire nuclear weapons fuel in short order."

AEI's Iran section features this and similar comments in articles and reports like:

"The new deal with Iran"

"A Regional Reality Check about Iran as the P5+1 Meet"

"Iran's nuclear weapons fuel production capability"

"Iran, sanctions, and what can Congress do?"

"Iran Guards Corps Fears Attack by Israel, fears Hezbollah will be the spark"

"Congress and Iran"

"Stop giving Iran a pass."

Others follow variations on the same theme. Syria is also targeted.

AEI was influential ahead of Washington attacking Iraq. It's pushing war now against Tehran and Damascus. It's ties to top administration and congressional leaders makes more conflict likely.

"Given the Iranian regime's long-standing pattern of deceptive and illicit conduct, we believe that it cannot be trusted to maintain enrichment or reprocessing activities on its territory for the foreseeable future – at least until the international community has been fully convinced that Iran has decided to abandon any nuclear- weapons ambitions."

"We are very far from that point," they added. The so-called "three Amigos" and other like-minded congressional hawks believe military action against Iran and Syria is the only viable option.

Israeli hard-liners concur. They're coordinating with Obama officials on Iranian and Syrian policy. The tail perhaps wags the dog. It wouldn't be the first time.

Both nations prefer conflict, not compromise or conciliation. Peace isn't an option. Capitulation's demanded. If not forthcoming, expect war. Influential hawks in both countries urge it. So does the Israeli lobby.

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.